Debt Counseling

The Right Debt Counseling for Your Situation, from ACCC

When you're in a difficult spot, sometimes the best thing to do is get help from an expert. Certainly that's true if you're feeling overwhelmed by debt. In times when there don't seem to be any good options, debt counseling from an expert can help you find a way forward.

American Consumer Credit Counseling is a non-profit organization that's been providing individuals and families help with credit problems for more than 20 years. Our certified counselors aren't just experts in credit management—they're also good listeners. Whatever your personal circumstances, ACCC can provide debt counseling to help you make the best choices for you and your family.

Debt Counseling for Budgeting and Consolidation

If you're struggling with multiple credit card bills and trying to find a way to get back in control of your finances, ACCC can provide you with a free debt counseling session. Your counselor will offer personalized debt advice based on information you provide about your income, assets, and expenses. Your free debt counseling session will include help with budget preparation as well as discussion of the options available to you for effectively managing your debts.

If appropriate for your particular situation, your counselor will tell you about ACCC's program for personal debt consolidation. Unlike companies that push loans for debt consolidation, ACCC offers a consolidation solution that does not require you to borrow money. Instead, ACCC works out an arrangement with your creditors whereby you make just one payment each month to ACCC and we then pay your creditors. Such arrangements often include a reduction in interest rates and in penalties that you may have incurred.

Debt Counseling for Bankruptcy

If your circumstances are dire enough that you're leaning toward filing for bankruptcy, ACCC can help you with this type of debt counseling as well. ACCC is one of the debt management agencies approved by the U.S. Department of Justice to provide the pre- and post-bankruptcy counseling that's mandated by the current Bankruptcy Code:

Pre-bankruptcy debt counseling, which is required before you can file, is a 60 to 90 minute session that assesses your current financial condition and provides information about alternatives to bankruptcy.

Post-bankruptcy counseling, which is required before the final discharge of your debts, must be a minimum of two hours and focuses on budget development, money management, and wise use of credit.

Whether you're considering bankruptcy or just looking for better ways to manage your debts, ACCC's expert, friendly counselors are standing by to help.